With the success ofMission: Impossible, The Bourne Identity, and several installments in theJames Bondfranchise, films have calcified the idea that espionage agents are modern day superheroes. There is certainly nothing wrong with these types of entertaining blockbusters, but in reality, the life of a spy is often a cold, lonely existence that does not include public admiration. DirectorAnton Corbijncertainly knows his way around stories about Cold War paranoia, as he directed the underratedJohn le CarréadaptationA Most Wanted Man, which took a more realistic look at the international manhunt for terrorists. However, Corbijin had previously crafted one of the most nuanced modern spy epics with his adaptation of a classic novel byMartin Booth;The Americanis adark, contemplative spy thrillerthat features one ofGeorge Clooney’s most underrated performances.
What Is ‘The American’ About?
Clooney stars inThe Americanas Jack, an American assassin that attempts to take a break from his brutal profession by taking an extended stay at a luxurious Italian village. Jack’s intentions are to not disclose any details about his identity or background, as he knows that his many adversaries could pounce on him if they ever suspect him to be vulnerable. Nonetheless, the time away from field duty gives Jack the opportunity to forge human connections for the first time in years,as he slowly falls in lovewith the local woman Clara (Violante Placido). This brief moment of yearning alerts others in the community to Jack’s presence, forcing him to contend with a group of sinister agents that want to take him down. As Jack prepares to defend his life, he’s forced toconsider what the rest of his existence will look like if he is constantly on the run.
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The Americanfeatures an uncharacteristically dark, removed performance from Clooney, who is best known for being charismatic in films likeOcean’s ElevenandOut of Sight. The brilliance of the film is that it takes advantage of Clooney’s age, as audiences familiar with his work had already been following his career for almost two decades; Jack is a character who may have had more passion when he was younger, butyears of performing ruthless assignments have left him jaded and cynical.The Americanexamines the reality that the life of a spy is an anonymous one, as characters like Jack are only able to survive by sharing as few details about their personal lives as possible. Although the film is surprisingly earnest in how it tackles Jack’s mental health, it also gives Clooney the opportunity to be genuinely disturbing;while he may not be physically imposing, Jack has only kept his identity secluded because of the many people that he has killed over the course of his career.
‘The American’ Is a Subversion of Spy Movie Archetypes
While it shares some plot elements with other espionage films,The Americanis stylistically indebted to many iconic works of international cinema.The polished, mannered way in which Jack prepares his gear and plans out his routines is very similar to the work ofJean-Pierre Melville, and specifically his classic assassin filmLe Samouraï; Jack is also framed like a lone gunslinger destined to wander without ever settling down, a comparison that is strengthened during a scene in which a clip fromSergio Leone’s classic westernOnce Upon a Time in the Westplays in the background. Although Jack does appear to be honest in his interactions with Clara,he still shows trepidation about explaining the horrible deeds that he has committed.The film walks a fine line, as it suggests aspects about Jack’s backgroundthat are ultimately left ambiguous.
Despite the methodical pacing and long stretches of Jack simply going through procedures,The Americanbenefits from its small scale, which makes it all the more thrilling. One of the consequences of Jack’s isolation is that he cannot call for any outside help and fears thathe may not be able to fulfill any promises of escapism that he makes to Clara.Although it may not feature the type of death-defying actionthat fans of Ethan Hunt may expect,The Americanis a far more grounded take on what a miserable, doomed life an assassin would have.
The American
